Malik Muhammad

The Player

Muhammad’s statistical production isn’t eye-popping, but he’s an instinctive and quick corner with good length. He shows a good feel for route combinations, passes off receivers, and rarely gets caught out of position in zone looks. He closes quickly, breaking on passes thrown in front of him. He doesn’t guard grass and doesn’t stay connected to a receiver when the ball is in the air. He reads receivers, gets his eyes on the quarterback, and quickly triggers in off coverage. He tied for the quickest 10-yard split among cornerbacks at the combine. 

He has the frame and length to compete with bigger receivers in 50-50 situations. He can deflect passes without going through the back of the receiver. He mirrors the receiver’s release, uses the correct hands to widen receivers, and stays in phase early as a press corner. He runs well enough to stay in phase, but he can be beaten over the top when he doesn’t win at the line of scrimmage. He has a tendency to bite on double moves and often doesn’t recover well. He’s physical and tough, but he’s lean and can get pushed around at the top of routes. He intercepted three passes in 41 career games and doesn’t pluck the ball like a receiver. He gets stuck on blocks and gives up ground, but he’s quick to trigger in run support, and he’s willing to stick his face in the fan as a tackler. 

The Draft

Muhammad is a potential top-100 prospect and was one of seven Texas players invited to the combine. Twenty-three Texas players have been selected over the past two drafts, 11 of whom were taken in the top 100 picks. 

The Projection 

2022 third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott is an interesting comparison. Muhammad has longer arms and is slightly heavier coming out of college, but they both have lean frames and similar speeds and playing styles. Flott started 24 of the 28 games he played in over the past two seasons and recently signed a three-year deal with the Titans. Muhammad could follow a similar path and develop into a starter in time.